Abercorn champions again

The Scottish FA was delighted to host the second annual National Learning Disabilities Schools League Final at Ravenscraig Sports Facility in North Lanarkshire on the 25th May.

The Scottish FA, in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport and local authorities throughout Scotland, have developed a number of opportunities in football for those with learning disabilities.

The Schools League enables S3-S6 pupils to take part in regular competitive activity. It started out with ten teams across the country competing in two leagues but the programme has grown significantly and now twenty eight teams compete over five leagues in the Scottish FA East, South East, West, South West and Central regions.

The national final was made up of the winners and runners-up in each of the regional leagues.

Abercorn kicked off their title defence with an emphatic 4-0 victory over newly crowned South West regional champions Park High School. Although both teams contributed to an exciting opening game, Abercorn proved to be just too strong for the South West side.

As the day progressed places at the top of the table remained extremely tight, with only one point separating Drumpark, Abercorn and St. Oswald’s. Moving into the final matches, St.Oswalds needed Abercorn to drop points in order to win the title but again Abercorn came out on top and managed to claim the neccessary three points to be crowned National Champions for the second year running.

Greig Taylor, Assistant National Football Development Officer said: “It was fantastic to see so many gifted young footballers here today at Ravenscraig. You could tell that playing today meant everything to them."

He added: "This is what it is all about, the hard work, the commitment, the training sessions in the pouring rain, being here today was worth every minute for these players. Credit must go to all the school staff members and volunteers who give so much of their time to make these opportunities possible.

"Well done to Abercorn for once again securing top spot in the country. I am looking forward to next year already”.

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